The Bible Doctrine Of Expediency

by Micky Galloway

I Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.”

[The Greek word translated “expedient” (sumphero) means literally, “to bear or bring together”; with a personal reference, “to be well or profitable.” In the New Testament it never means “profitable” or “convenient” as opposed to what is strictly right. It is translated “expedient” (John 11:50, “it is expedient for us,” the Revised Version (British and American) “for you”; John 16:7, “It is expedient for you that I go away,” i.e. “profitable,” “for your good,” John 18:14; I Corinthians 6:12; 10:23; II Corinthians 8:10; 12:1). In Matthew 19:10, instead of “not good to marry,” the Revised Version (British and American) has “not expedient.” The modern sense of “expediency” as “hastening” or “acceleration,” is not found in the New Testament, any more than its bad sense of “mere convenience.” “Nothing but the right can ever be expedient” (Whately, ISBE).]

Men have sought to justify a multitude of things by saying, “they can be practiced as expediencies.” The common concept seems to be that the end justifies the means, so anything that will accomplish what we seem to think is good is therefore permissible. Often the appeal is made, “Where does the Bible say not to?” This suggests that we are at liberty to practice anything that is not expressly forbidden in the Bible. “Results accomplished” do not authorize anything. In order for a thing to be a scriptural expedient it must facilitate in the accomplishment of God’s will and be in harmony with His word. In other words, it must be right!

For A Thing To Be Expedient It Must First Be Lawful. In addition to I Corinthians 10:23 we read in I Corinthians 6:12, “All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of a choice within the realm of those things that are lawfully authorized. Authority may be established by a direct statement, approved example, or necessary inference. That which is not authorized is unlawful … prohibited by divine authority and therefore sinful (cf. II John 9-11). This involves going beyond that which is written (cf. I Corinthians 4:6). We have no assurance that a thing is pleasing to God unless the Holy Spirit has borne such testimony through what is written (cf. I Corinthians 2:10-13). Unlawful things cannot be expedients even if WE THINK they facilitate the accomplishment of the Lord’s will. No doubt David thought the ox cart would make the job of moving the ark of the covenant easier, but this did not make it right (cf. I Chronicles13:7-10; 15:2, 13-15). Consider other Old Testament examples such as Cain, Nadab and Abihu, King Uzziah, Uzzah.

For A Thing To Be Expedient It Cannot Be Specified. When God specified, there is no choice for man but to obey or disobey. In matters specified, faith demands obedience to the Lord. Examples: God specified “gopher wood” for the ark (Genesis 6:14). By faith Noah did all that God commanded (verse 22; cf. Hebrews 11:7). God specified a male lamb of the first year, without blemish, as a sacrifice (Exodus 12:5). The Israelites chose to obey. Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God has authorized. Noah could choose which gopher wood to use, whether a large or small log, etc. but he must use gopher wood to obey God. The Israelites could choose which male lamb of the first year, that was without blemish, should be offered, but they must offer such an animal in order to obey God.

To go beyond that which is specified or to offer a substitute is to ADD to what God has said instead of AIDING obedience to His word. God commands “singing” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Instrumental music is not an aid in “singing” but is an “addition” to God’s commandment. It is not included in the scope of the command to sing, but is another kind or class of music. God commands to dip, submerge, bury in baptism (Romans 6:3-4; cf. “Dip” Luke 16:24; John 13:26). A baptistry may expedite the accomplishment of God’s will, thus a baptistry is an expedient. However, sprinkling for baptism is not expedient because it involves another kind or class of action; therefore, it is a substitution for that which God commanded. It is unlawful and sinful.

For A Thing To Be Expedient It Must Edify. (Read the context of I Corinthians 10:23-33). Furthermore, we read, “Let all things be done unto edifying” (I Corinthians 14:26). To edify means to strengthen or build up. We are not allowed to do anything that will tear down and destroy one another. If a thing is a matter of choice or expediency, falling into the realm of human wisdom or judgment, and its practice causes division in the body of Christ, it is sinful and wrong.

For A Thing To Be Expedient It Must Not Offend The Conscience Of A Brother. “Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the (profit) of the many, that they may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:32-33; Read also Romans 14:13-33). This rule governs only in matters of expediency, where the liberty of a choice by human wisdom or judgment has been permitted by the divine will. We are to forego a matter of personal liberty rather than lead a brother to sin by violating his conscience in participating and partaking in that which he believes to be wrong. Paul said he was willing to forego such liberties “for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble” (I Corinthians 8:7-13).

Remember: expediency involves the right of choice within the realm of that which is authorized in the New Testament, and is not a source of authority within itself. Any practice that changes the kind or class of the thing authorized cannot be claimed an as expediency, but rather becomes an addition and therefore sinful.

NOTE: Much of the material in this article is taken from others who have gone before: WALKING BY FAITH, by Roy Cogdill, page 18. and also used in A STUDY OF AUTHORITY, by Billy Moore, page 42. I am thankful for their work (mg).